Story Time with Dixie DeMont

Determined to distract her sister's mind and lighten the mood, Dixie decided to tell her about the strange old lady she'd encountered and the book she'd gotten for free.

Flipping the nameless and authorless novel in her hands, Bonnie pursed her lips. "Wow, yeah, that's really weird. So seeing this symbol makes us special? She was clearly speaking in riddles. Maybe she truly is a soul reader."

"There's no such thing, B."

Bonnie frowned. "Don't start again with that ridiculous pet name."

"I can't help it. It sounds so cute. Besides, it was mom who came up with it." Dixie replied with a sad smile. Suddenly her heart felt heavy. Gosh, she missed her mother so much.

Bonnie offered a sad smile as well. "It was cute when she said it because when she gave it to me, I was still a carefree child. I did not know the meaning of burden and grief until we lost her."

Dixie cleared the throat and took her book back. Damn it. Why were they back to a depressing topic? "So, I'll read this book to you. According to the old lady, it's tantalizing enough to get lost in."

Bonnie lied down and closed her eyes. "Make sure you get into the persona of each character."

Dixie began her narration:

"Once upon a time, there was a girl living in a happy family of four. She had a doting mother, father and older brother. She was the daughter of a Grand Duke and born into the powerful Del Montague family. Named after her great grandmother and aunt, Felicia Viviane Del Montague was a stunning beauty with brains to match. Flaming red hair, emerald eyes, high cheekbones and snow white skin. Up until age 14, she was a wild child whom everyone adored. She loved to study, loved to get praised, loved to ask questions about everything and loved to run around the gardens. She was very strong willed and believed that everyone in her life was her friend.

Unfortunately, her life took a turn for the worse when her mother died and she was unfairly blamed for it...."

The story was a heartbreaking one and both sisters were sullen when they reached the end. There was almost 15 minutes of dead silence.

Though the book appeared thin, it was actually 300 pages long. They took turns closing and opening it to understand how 300 pages could be pressed together so tightly. They also noticed that the book would be cold when closed but suddenly felt warm when open.

Bonnie cried out in shock when she saw the infinity symbol glowing.

However, when Dixie looked there was nothing. It didn't glow again. There was definitely something funky going on. She decided to place the book inside a kitchen cupboard before joining her sister on the bed. Bonnie was scared by the book which she insists was glowing. Dixie believes her, but she doesn't know what to make of it.

Held in each others warm embrace, the DeMont sisters entered the dream world together. Unsurprisingly, they both dreamt about the book. They saw so many weird things. Places, people, voices, shades of pain, greed and a longing that resonated with them.

What a strange tale. Are the parallels purely coincidental?